Friday, October 16, 2026, 10 a.m. (Boston time), Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
Hearing on Dockets #1515-1524
Committee: Planning, Development, and Transportation Committee
Chair Sharon Durkan held a confirmation hearing on dockets 1515 through 1524, the Mayor's reappointments and new appointments of members and alternates to the Zoning Board of Appeal. Reappointed members Giovanni Valencia, Katie Whewell, Alan Langham, Sherry, Jeanne Pinado and David Collins introduced themselves, a statement from Shamaya Turner was read into the record, and new alternates Patrick Walsh, Carla Monteiro and Bill Masterson presented their backgrounds. Councilors Durkan, Erin Murphy and Ed Flynn asked about weighing projects already approved by the planning board, small homeowner cases, language access, climate resilience, asthma and how nominees balance competing interests. Durkan said she does not think projects approved by the planning department board should be opposed at the ZBA except in rare cases and referred to a pending zoning amendment to eliminate parking requirements for new residential development. No votes were taken and there was no public testimony; Durkan said she would move the nominations forward at the committee's next meeting.
0:24 the.
2:02 For the record my name is
2:03 sharon durkan, district eight
2:04 city councilor and I'm the
2:05 chair of the boston city
2:07 council committee on planning,
2:07 development and transportation.
2:10 Today is OCTOBER 16th and the
2:12 exact time is 10:02 A.M..
2:14 This hearing is being recorded.
2:15 It is also being live
2:16 streamed@boston.Gov backslash
2:19 city council dash tv and
2:20 broadcast on xfinity channel
2:22 eight rcn channel 82 fios
2:24 channel 964.
2:25 Written comments MAY be sent to
2:28 the committee email at scorpio
2:30 land dev@boston.Com and will be
2:31 made part of the record
2:32 available to all councilors.
2:34 Public testimony will be taken
2:35 at the end of this hearing.
2:36 Individuals will be called on
2:38 in the order in which they have
2:39 minutes to testify.
2:39 signed up and they have two
2:40 If you are interested in
2:42 testifying in person, please
2:43 add your name to the sign up
2:44 sheet near the entrance of the
2:44 chamber.
2:46 If you are looking to testify
2:47 virtually, please email our
2:48 central staff liaison shane
2:53 pack at shane s h a and e dot
2:54 pack at boston.Com for the link
2:56 and your name will be added to
2:56 the list.
2:59 Today's hearing and excuse
3:00 me I'm going to be the clerk
3:00 for a second.
3:02 I have to read all of these, uh
3:03 ,appointments.
3:05 Today's hearing is on docket
3:05 1515.
3:07 Message in order for the
3:08 confirmation of the
3:09 reappointment of giovanni
3:10 valencia as a member of the
3:11 zoning board of appeal for a
3:13 term expiring MAY 1st, 2027.
3:17 Docket 1516 message in order
3:18 for the confirmation of the
3:19 reappointment of katie, we well
3:21 as a member of the zoning board
3:22 of appeals for a term expiring
3:27 MAY 1st, 2027 docket 1517
3:28 message in order for the
3:28 confirmation of the
3:29 reappointment of alan ellingham
3:31 as a member of the zoning board
3:33 of appeals for a term expiring
3:33 MAY 1st, 2028.
3:37 Docket 1518 message in order
3:38 for the confirmation of the
3:39 reappointment of sherry as a
3:40 member of the zoning board
3:42 of appeal for a term expiring
3:43 MAY 1st, 2029.
3:46 Docket 1519 message in order
3:48 for the confirmation of the
3:49 reappointment of shamaya turner
3:50 as a member of the zoning board
3:52 of appeals for a term expiring
3:53 MAY 1st, 2029.
3:56 Docket 1520 message in order
3:57 for the confirmation of the
4:00 reappointment of jean pinto as
4:02 an alternate member of the
4:03 zoning board of appeal for a
4:05 term expiring MAY 1st, 2027.
4:10 Message um sorry docket 1521
4:11 message in order for the
4:12 confirmation of the
4:12 reappointment of david collins
4:14 as an alternate member of the
4:15 zoning board of appeals for a
4:16 term expiring MAY 1st, 2028.
4:19 Docket 1522 message in order
4:21 for the confirmation of the
4:24 appointment of carla montero as
4:25 an alternate member of the
4:26 zoning board of appeals for a
4:28 term expiring MAY 1st, 2028.
4:31 Docket 1523 passage.
4:32 In order for the confirmation
4:33 of the appointment of patrick
4:34 walsh as an alternate member
4:35 of the zoning board of appeals
4:37 for a term expiring NOVEMBER
4:38 1st, 2028.
4:41 Docket 1524 message in order
4:42 for the confirmation of the
4:43 appointment of william
4:44 masterson as an alternate
4:45 member of the zoning board
4:47 of appeals for a term expiring
4:48 MAY 1st, 2029.
4:50 These matters were sponsored by
4:51 michelle wu and referred to the
4:53 committee on AUGUST 5th 2026.
4:55 Um we are joined by my
4:56 colleagues in order of arrival
4:57 right now just uh,
4:58 councilor erin murphy.
5:00 Um, this is one of the most
5:01 important things that we do.
5:05 Um, as uh as in our committee
5:06 as the planning development and
5:07 transportation committee.
5:08 It's a privilege to oversee
5:10 these nominations to some
5:12 of the most important boards
5:12 and commissions.
5:14 The zoning board of appeal is
5:15 one of the most consequential
5:16 appointed bodies in boston.
5:18 It plays a critical role in
5:19 shaping the future of our city
5:21 and ensuring we can grow while
5:22 protecting our past.
5:24 The boston zoning code is
5:25 significantly longer and more
5:26 complex than other cities
5:28 of similar size, according to
5:29 zoning expert sarah bronin.
5:31 It is bloated, outdated,
5:33 inconsistent and inequitable
5:34 and the folks that we have
5:35 before us today are the folks
5:37 that have to wade through those
5:40 tough decisions case by case as
5:41 a result of the zoning board
5:42 of appeals carries significant
5:43 responsibility in determining
5:45 when to grant relief to these
5:48 requirements um and ensuring
5:49 that these decisions serve the
5:50 best interests of boston
5:50 residents.
5:52 Boston, like cities across the
5:53 country, faces urgent
5:54 challenges that require us to
5:56 build more housing and address
5:57 our affordability crisis,
5:58 making our buildings more
5:59 sustainable and resilient for
6:01 climate change and protecting
6:02 residents from displacement.
6:03 We are here this morning to
6:06 consider nominations of ten
6:07 highly qualified individuals
6:09 with expertise across planning,
6:10 development, architecture,
6:11 construction and historic
6:12 preservation who have
6:13 demonstrated commitment and
6:14 contributions to our city.
6:16 Their prior civic engagements
6:18 including through uh serving on
6:20 what they're being reappointed
6:20 for.
6:22 Thank you to all of you for
6:23 your continued interest in
6:25 serving our city and to those
6:25 being reappointed.
6:27 Thank you for your continued
6:28 service and contributions.
6:30 It is an honor to serve in this
6:31 capacity, and I look forward to
6:32 hearing more about what draws
6:34 you into this work and what
6:36 informs your philosophy and
6:36 approach.
6:38 Um, with that I'd like to give
6:40 each nominee an opportunity to
6:40 introduce themselves and share
6:42 a bit about their background as
6:43 we move into questions from
6:44 councilors, we are going to
6:46 start with our appointees and
6:48 then um, swap panels to hear
6:49 from new appointees.
6:51 Um, before we do that I wanted
6:52 to give um councilor and murphy
6:53 a chance for an opening
6:53 statement.
6:54 Thank you.
6:56 Um thank you everyone for being
6:58 here on this rainy friday
6:58 morning.
6:59 I appreciate.
7:01 You all being here.
7:03 And thank you to the chair for
7:03 holding this.
7:05 Like she said, we.
7:07 Get appointments to so many
7:08 different boards and
7:10 commissions across the city and
7:11 it's important that we.
7:12 Give you the respect I.
7:15 Think also calling in so that
7:17 you can share with us why the
7:18 mayor and the administration
7:18 thought.
7:20 That you would be.
7:22 Well suited for these
7:22 positions.
7:23 A few of you.
7:25 I do know personally I know
7:26 you sherry for you work at
7:27 tufts and.
7:27 in.
7:28 Chinatown community.
7:28 The.
7:31 I know pat and carla personally
7:31 also.
7:33 Thank you for the work you do
7:34 in that mental health social
7:35 work space, labor.
7:37 Space it's important.
7:40 Um but others that I don't know
7:41 personally I've read through
7:42 all the resumes.
7:42 Impressive.
7:44 so I just want to just an
7:46 opening statement before we
7:47 listen to your.
7:49 Um you know, you speak.
7:51 But I want to begin by
7:52 recognizing those.
7:53 Members of the zoning board of.
7:54 Appeal who are being considered
7:55 for reappointment.
7:57 Um, thank you for your
7:58 continued.
7:59 Service to the city of boston
8:00 and for the time.
8:01 Commitment and thoughtful
8:02 consideration.
8:02 you bring to.
8:04 this important
8:04 responsibility.
8:06 I also want to welcome those.
8:07 Who are stepping forward to
8:07 serve for.
8:08 the first time.
8:10 I appreciate your willingness.
8:12 To take on this responsibility
8:12 and.
8:13 Contribute your time and.
8:15 Experience to the city.
8:18 The zoning board of appeals
8:18 plays an important.
8:19 Role in shaping our
8:20 neighborhoods.
8:21 In the decisions made.
8:23 impact on.
8:23 By its members have a direct
8:25 Residents, homeowners,
8:26 businesses and communities
8:27 across boston.
8:29 And I know this work is not.
8:31 Always easy.
8:33 You're often asked to balance
8:34 competing interests and make.
8:36 Difficult decisions, and I.
8:36 Appreciate the.
8:37 responsibility that comes
8:38 with that.
8:39 I'm looking forward.
8:40 To hearing from all of.
8:43 You and also looking forward to
8:43 voting.
8:44 Supporting your.
8:45 Appointments when it comes.
8:46 Up at our next.
8:47 Meeting on wednesday.
8:48 So thank you all for being
8:48 here.
8:49 Thank you so much.
8:50 And we've been joined by
8:51 councilor ed flynn.
8:53 Um he has um a sort of you
8:55 know, impeccable attendance in
8:56 this uh, committee.
8:57 So just thank you for being
8:58 here again, councilor flynn.
9:00 And, uh, wanted to give you a
9:00 chance for an opening
9:01 statement.
9:01 Yeah.
9:02 Thank you, MADAM Chair.
9:06 And to the members of the, uh,
9:09 panel that's here I support I
9:10 apologize for being a few
9:11 minutes late.
9:14 Um, I had the opportunity
9:16 probably to work with a lot
9:18 of a lot of people on on on the
9:19 board and just want to say
9:22 thank you to you to you for,
9:24 um, stepping forward for the
9:25 work you're doing.
9:27 Um, sometimes I agree with your
9:28 decision.
9:29 Sometimes I MAY disagree with
9:31 your decision but I respect the
9:33 work you're doing and I think
9:34 you are a credit to the
9:36 citizens of the of the city, to
9:37 the to the city itself.
9:39 And I want to say want to say
9:41 thank you for, um, your
9:43 leadership and helping build a
9:49 stronger boston um I do want to
9:50 acknowledge um.
9:55 I represent district two which
9:56 includes south boston's the
9:58 south end and chinatown.
10:00 But I do want to acknowledge
10:02 the incredible work and the
10:05 community of sherry and your
10:07 commitment to the neighborhood
10:09 not just in not just in
10:10 chinatown but throughout the
10:13 city but representing, uh,
10:15 people in need supporting
10:16 families.
10:18 Um, you're you're a credit to
10:20 you to the zoning board.
10:21 You're a credit to tufts
10:24 medical center and you credit
10:25 your credit to the city
10:25 of boston.
10:26 So I just want to say thank you
10:28 to sherry, but say thank you to
10:30 all of the members here and
10:32 those that will become members
10:33 I'm looking forward to
10:35 supporting um, all of them.
10:36 Uh, thank you, MADAM Chair.
10:37 Thank you so much,
10:38 councilor flynn.
10:38 Um.
10:39 And just to keep it.
10:41 Um, because there are so many
10:42 dockets I'm going to go in the
10:43 order in which the dockets were
10:45 called even though you guys
10:46 aren't sitting in that order.
10:48 Um, and what we're going to do
10:49 is give each of you an
10:51 opportunity to share more
10:51 about.
10:52 Your work.
10:53 you are all reappointments
10:56 so um so um I always like to
10:57 encourage folks to talk about,
10:58 you know, what brought them to
11:00 this work, why it's important
11:01 to them what roots them in
11:02 community.
11:03 Um, but I know a few of you
11:04 have remarks prepared.
11:06 Um, and for those that don't
11:07 feel free to just speak off the
11:09 cuff to your experience, um,
11:10 we're going to try to keep it
11:12 to around two minutes but I'm
11:14 not going to time you so that
11:15 and then we're going to go to
11:17 any uh questions from
11:17 colleagues.
11:19 Don't be surprised because
11:21 we've seen your resume is we
11:22 know how qualified.
11:22 you are.
11:24 If we don't have any very
11:25 specific questions for you in
11:26 particular, who knows?
11:27 We might have very specific
11:28 questions for each of you
11:30 individually I don't know, but
11:31 um but don't be surprised if
11:32 this is your opportunity to
11:35 share about why you do what you
11:35 do.
11:37 um, so we're going to start
11:40 with giovanni valencia and um,
11:42 just make sure to bring the mic
11:42 to you.
11:42 Yeah.
11:43 Thank you.
11:43 All right.
11:44 Thank you.
11:46 Yes okay.
11:47 Yes.
11:48 Good morning.
11:49 Um, consider.
11:51 Durkan good morning, city
11:52 councilors.
11:54 I am honored to be here with
11:56 you and to have the opportunity
11:58 to reaffirm my interest in
12:00 continuing to serve our city as
12:01 a member of the boston zoning
12:02 board of appeal.
12:05 My name is giovanni valencia.
12:07 I am a proud colombian american
12:09 citizen who choose to call the
12:10 city of boston my home.
12:14 How about 20 years ago since
12:16 immigrating to the U.S., I have
12:18 had the privilege of working as
12:20 a community organizer across
12:22 many of our neighborhoods
12:24 including is boston, jamaica
12:27 plain, roxbury the south end I
12:29 park in my own neighborhood
12:29 of roxbury.
12:32 I am also a boston public
12:35 school parent of two kids and
12:37 my wife works for bpas as a
12:38 district social worker.
12:40 There have been several of our
12:41 neighborhood schools.
12:44 I am an architect in a planner
12:46 by training and a community
12:47 organizer by career choice.
12:51 For many years I worked for
12:52 community development
12:54 corporations promoting the
12:55 creation and preservation
12:57 of affordable housing as well
12:59 as a rehabilitation of bsi
13:00 developments.
13:03 Over the years I have listened
13:05 to thousands of residents share
13:08 their needs, frustrations and
13:10 hopes to live, work and remain
13:11 in the city of boston.
13:14 How an experienced life here as
13:17 a long time renter and now as a
13:19 homeowner, I know firsthand the
13:22 immense challenges our
13:23 residents face in finding
13:25 affordable housing or simply
13:27 finding housing at all in our
13:27 city.
13:31 When I submitted my application
13:34 in 2022 to the cba using the
13:35 city's boards and commissions
13:38 website, I had no expectations
13:40 of ever receiving a call back
13:41 from the administration.
13:45 But they did and I'm here
13:46 because of that.
13:47 I wanted to take a moment to
13:50 express my sincere appreciation
13:51 to major michelle wu for
13:53 trusting me.
13:54 As a.
13:56 Community member with this
13:58 responsibility and for
13:59 reappointing me to serve for an
14:02 overturned.
14:05 Over the last four years I have
14:06 attended most hearings and
14:08 reviewed close to 4000 cases.
14:11 While many of these appeals
14:13 focused on housing, the zoning
14:15 board of appeals also reviews
14:17 conditional uses for local
14:19 businesses, billboards, labs
14:22 and medical facilities, among
14:22 other uses.
14:27 Every proposal is unique and I
14:28 am confident that my colleagues
14:31 and I do our best to ensure our
14:34 city moves forward and becomes
14:35 more welcoming space for
14:37 everyone and for generations to
14:37 come.